Kevin Smith

I didn't see "Clerks" when it first came out and there were lines around the block at The Neptune for it. I'm often wary of hype, so put off watching shows like "Downton Abbey" that everyone is raving about, only to be ultimately sucked in because it is that good.

I probably would have seen "Mallrats" if the reviews hadn't been so bad. I'm not sure "Chasing Amy" was on my radar, although guy chasing lesbian probably wouldn't have gotten me to go if it was.

So, my first Kevin Smith film was "Dogma". It was December and I was going through the first phase of a break up in an on again off again relationship. It was Friday night and I literally did not know what to do with myself. I think I called my recent ex from the floor of my office I was so lost. Somehow, I got to the plan of going to see "Dogma" at the Varsity Theatre.

The movie starts with a disclaimer, revealed in bits:

Disclaimer: 1) a renunciation of any claim to or connection with; 2) a disavowal; 3) a statement made to save one's own ass. 

Though it'll go without saying ten minutes or so into these proceedings, View Askew would like to state that this film is- from start to finish- a work of comedice fantasy, not to be taken seriously. To insist that any of what follows is incendiary or inflammatory is to miss our intention and pass undue judgment; and passing judgment is reserved for God and God alone (this goes for you film critics too... just kidding). 

So please - before you think about hurting someone over this trifle of a film, remember: even God has a sense of humor. 

Just look at the platypus. Thank you and enjoy the show. 

P.S. We sincerely apologize to all platypus enthusiasts out there who are offended by that thoughtless comment about the platypi. We at View Askew respect the noble platypus, and it is not our intention to slight these stupid creatures in any way.
Than you again and enjoy the show.

From this, I knew I was going to enjoy the show, which at the time meant a lot to me. I adored "Dogma". I caught up with "Clerks", "Mallrats", and "Chasing Amy" and enjoyed them all.

And then came "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back". I'm going to start by saying I am not a fan of a lot of stupid comedies, but if you were going to make a stupid comedy just for me, "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" is 90% it. There are a few jokes that are a little more juvenile than are not as to my taste, but really it is so my movie.

"Jersey Girl" was okay, but a little too ordinary for what I had come to expect from Kevin Smith. I enjoyed "Clerks II".

The last 3 movies--"Zack and Miri Make a Porno", "Red State", and "Tusk" (I'm not counting "Cop Out" since KS didn't write it)--all have a lot going for them but I felt they all could have been better, in the sense that they needed another draft or two. I could see what they wanted to be but they just hadn't quite gotten there. I think he really needs a good editor, mainly script but possibly film, too. In "Tusk" there were two moments where I thought, "Wow, he really does like people talking." It's not a good sign.

Watching "Tusk" was fascinating as I really did not know where it was going to go--and I certainly did not see the end coming. While that is often a good thing, sometimes it means there hasn't been enough groundwork laid for it to really work. In this case, it was mostly the latter.

Ultimately, I'm just glad Kevin Smith is back to making movies and enjoying doing that. I hope he's able to find a way to do his hockey movie/mini series, since he's gotten such good feedback about the script. Maybe Netflix or Amazon will sign on for that. There are a lot of channels these days and I'm hoping "Yoga Hosers" and "Moose Jaws" gel. And, of course, I am totally looking forward to "Clerks III". Thank goodness for #walrusyes.